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Back to the Future. Prospects Montreal Canadiens

Today, let’s talk about forwards, and we’ll start from the end, that is, from the draft of 2011. As you remember, this year the leadership of the Canadiens was mainly concerned with the configuration of the defensive ranks, because the forwards got only two drafts-peaks.

Olivier Arshambo

Draft: 2011, 4th round, 108 number

Age: 18 years old

Height: 180

Position: extreme forward

Team: Drummondville Voltigeurs, Season 3 in QMJHL

In general, it is worth to say a few words about the trend, which can be traced in Montreal quite clearly, and the choice of Olivier Arshambo completely corresponds to it. Look at the line of the Canadiens attack: Brian Giont, Scott Gomez, Michael Cammalleri.

All these players are united by one feature – low growth. The hubs are clearly working with a focus on technical and talented forwards and sometimes sacrifice physical might. Perhaps this is one of the reasons for the club’s failures in recent years?

Let’s return to Arshambo: in front of us is a short but technically and talented guy who demonstrates good skating and speed, sees the ice well and helps his partners well. Last season in the Q-League striker scored 53 points and 33 of them – assists. It is worth paying attention to Lasdoytazkius toronto maple leafs at montreal canadiens tickets the fact that in the draft of the League of Quebec in 2009 Olivier Arshambo was chosen under the common first number.

In September, like many avenues, Arshambo played for the Canadiens in the preseason. He went out on the ice with the main attacking forces of the club, took part in the majority rally, in a word, showed what he, in fact, was waiting for – his attacking skills. We wait for him in the first team not earlier than in three or four years.

Louis LeBlanc

Draft: 2009, Round 1, number 18

Age: 20 years old

Height: 184

Position: central striker

Team: Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL), 1st season

Before us is a typical two-way forward, who can play both in the center and on the flank, connects to the attacking actions, but does not forget about the defense. Workability and responsibility are also never questioned.

His way to youth hockey was very twisty, and this is another topic for santrodivart conversation. Season 2008-09 Canadian held in the USHL, which, you see, is not quite typical. This choice was explained simply – the guy was going to enter college and therefore could not play in CHL.

In the American League, Louis played very well (59 points in 60 fights), and was awarded the title Rookie of the Year. In 2009, Louis LeBlanc enrolled in Harvard and the next season was already in the NCAA. And then he was able to quickly find himself: scored in 31 matches 23 points and again became the Rookie of the Year – this time in his NCAA division.

This seemed a little to Leblanc, and the leadership of the Canadiens advised the guy to drastically change the course. Harvard is good for a degree in finance, but the university’s hockey program leaves much to be desired. Because Louis LeBlanc throws Harvard (as it sounds!) And moves to his homeland. In Canada, he joined the QMJHL club Montreal Juniors, where he spent the 2010-11 season. He performed well: let the newcomer of the league this time become a guy and failed, but 58 points – a worthy indicator, especially given the circumstances.

And the circumstances were as follows: in November 2010, Louis suffered a shoulder injury, because of which, in fact, and now forced to skip the start of the season. Despite the damage, the guy continued to play, moreover, went to the World Youth Championship in Buffalo, where as part of the national team of Canada won silver. He went to the ice in all seven fights and earned 7 points (3 + 4).

Andreas Engqvist

Signed as a free agent in 2009

Age: 23 years old

Height: 192

Position: central striker

Team: Montreal Canadiens, 1st season

Let’s make a kind of small break. In the intermission – the undrafted striker from Sweden, Andreas Engqvist. For four years, this tall guy spent at the club SEL Djurgården, and in 2010 crossed the ocean and began the North American stage of his career. Acted, of course, for the farm club Canadiens and even spent three matches in the form of the main team of the system. Effective actions were not noted, but, in fact, none of this from Engqvist and did not expect.

About Andreas does not need much to tell – in front of us is a typical tall striker of the defensive plan and a reliable pencil-killer. Defense, playing in the minority and once again defending – that’s all the tasks that sets the hockey staff of the Hobbs before Engqvist. The current championship Swede began in Montreal in the fourth three attacks. Continually goes to neutralize the deletions, along with Brian Giont.

Danny Cristo

Draft: 2008, 2nd round, 56 number

Age: 21 years old

Height: 180

Position: extreme forward

Team: University of North Dakota, Season 3

Season 2011-12 will be the third for Danny at the NCAA. In student hockey, a player can spend no more than four years, so signing a professional contract with Danny Cristo is just around the corner. The guy was successful his first season: in 2010 he was awarded the title Rookie of the Year in his division and scored 36 points (21 + 15). In the same year, Cristo for the second time went to the pier